oltd 508 - mobile learning and gaming
The first piece of evidence I selected to demonstrate my learning in OLTD 508 is my review of the videogame Lure of the Labyrinth. In order to complete this assignment I had to familiarize myself with James Gee’s “Principles on Gaming” which altered not only my opinion of video games but which gave me a new lens with which to examine my pedagogy.
Before settling on Lure of the Labyrinth I played a variety of video games including Minecraft, SimCityEdu, Mangahigh and Plague Inc amongst others. This process was extremely valuable as it opened my eyes to the plethora of game-based learning activities that exist. Finally, I played Lure of the Labrynth extensively myself before introducing it to my grade 6 math class where it was very warmly received.
In the course of completing this assignment, I met the following OLTD learning objectives.
This activity has given me a new appreciation for the value of Gaming and game-based learning. It has given me a new appreciation for the wealth and scope of resources which are available and which, in all likelihood, will continue to grow. It is also giving me the tools to assess these resources critically. It strengthened my understanding of student engagement and problem-based learning. Overall, I am very pleased that I had the opportunity to explore this new educational trend.
Before settling on Lure of the Labyrinth I played a variety of video games including Minecraft, SimCityEdu, Mangahigh and Plague Inc amongst others. This process was extremely valuable as it opened my eyes to the plethora of game-based learning activities that exist. Finally, I played Lure of the Labrynth extensively myself before introducing it to my grade 6 math class where it was very warmly received.
In the course of completing this assignment, I met the following OLTD learning objectives.
- Plan learning opportunities most suitable to the strengths and challenges of a variety of environments
- Critically assess and evaluate resources for best practice in online learning
This activity has given me a new appreciation for the value of Gaming and game-based learning. It has given me a new appreciation for the wealth and scope of resources which are available and which, in all likelihood, will continue to grow. It is also giving me the tools to assess these resources critically. It strengthened my understanding of student engagement and problem-based learning. Overall, I am very pleased that I had the opportunity to explore this new educational trend.
Partially because my interest in game-based learning I was drawn to gamification for my major inquiry which is my second piece of evidence of learning for OLTD 508. For this assignment I first created an account with 3D Gamelab. They then enrolled me in their Academy program where I learned the fundamentals of gamification on their platform. I completed a number of quests including: How to build quests, Group manager tools, How to build badges, Using a Planning road map, Reward design and others. This allowed me to experience the platform as a student. Finally I had earned my game designer badge and it was time to create my first gamified unit.
I looked through a large swath of public domain literature and considered my options. Finally, I decided upon a unit on Norse mythology.
I selected a number of the myths and edited them to modernize and simplify the language so that they would be appropriate for my Grade 6/7 students. I created some tutorial videos and found others. I developed a number of assignments and a quiz based upon the myths and the videos. I developed rewards and badges as well as levels for the students to strive towards. Finally, I documented all of this work in a video.
In the course of completing this assignment, I met the following OLTD learning objectives.
· Develop and design intentional learning activities suitable for the appropriate environment and the learner
· Create assessment and evaluation methods/tools most suitable to the strengths and challenges of online environments
Overall, I am somewhat pleased with the results of this assignment. I feel I have gotten a good start on a much larger assignment and I am eager to continue work on it. In the process of building my unit I learned how to use new applications, create badges and mastered a LMS. For the first time I was able to combine three of my passions: folklore, technology and gaming in one project and although I still feel like the unit is in its infancy, I feel like I have a clear vision for how to take the project forward. This was by far the most ambitious project I have undertaken thus far in the OLTD program and for that reason alone I'm very pleased with it, but it was also my first foray into online gamified instructional design, a trend which I am very excited to join.
I looked through a large swath of public domain literature and considered my options. Finally, I decided upon a unit on Norse mythology.
I selected a number of the myths and edited them to modernize and simplify the language so that they would be appropriate for my Grade 6/7 students. I created some tutorial videos and found others. I developed a number of assignments and a quiz based upon the myths and the videos. I developed rewards and badges as well as levels for the students to strive towards. Finally, I documented all of this work in a video.
In the course of completing this assignment, I met the following OLTD learning objectives.
· Develop and design intentional learning activities suitable for the appropriate environment and the learner
· Create assessment and evaluation methods/tools most suitable to the strengths and challenges of online environments
Overall, I am somewhat pleased with the results of this assignment. I feel I have gotten a good start on a much larger assignment and I am eager to continue work on it. In the process of building my unit I learned how to use new applications, create badges and mastered a LMS. For the first time I was able to combine three of my passions: folklore, technology and gaming in one project and although I still feel like the unit is in its infancy, I feel like I have a clear vision for how to take the project forward. This was by far the most ambitious project I have undertaken thus far in the OLTD program and for that reason alone I'm very pleased with it, but it was also my first foray into online gamified instructional design, a trend which I am very excited to join.